That combination is a popular internet “hack,” but it’s worth separating what it actually does from the exaggerated claims. Here’s the honest breakdown:
What people use it for
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Cleaning/whitening teeth — the idea is that toothpaste’s abrasives plus Vaseline’s coating “polish” or “protect” teeth.
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Removing scratches — toothpaste is a mild abrasive; Vaseline adds lubrication. Sometimes used on screens, CDs, or plastic.
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Skin/beauty uses — as a DIY mask, lip scrub, or to “seal in” toothpaste ingredients.
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Household fixes — cleaning grout, shining shoes, etc.
What’s actually true
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Toothpaste is a mild abrasive and can buff away very light surface scratches on plastic or glass—Vaseline mainly just lubricates. Results are modest and can leave a haze.
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As a cleaner, toothpaste can lift some grime, but it’s not better than dedicated cleaners.
What’s NOT true or is risky
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Don’t use it on your teeth to whiten. Vaseline is not food-safe for ingestion in quantity, and smearing it on teeth doesn’t whiten them. Toothpaste abrasives used repeatedly can wear enamel. For whitening, use dentist-approved products.
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Don’t put it on your face/skin as a mask. Toothpaste contains menthol, SLS, and other irritants that can burn or dry skin; Vaseline seals it against the skin, worsening irritation. It’s a common cause of contact dermatitis.
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Don’t use on sensitive screens (phone/laptop) — abrasives can damage anti-glare coatings.
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Don’t use it on burns, cuts, or intimate areas.
Bottom line
It “works” for a few minor buffing/cleaning tasks, but the viral claims (whitening teeth, miracle skin treatment) are overstated and can be harmful. If you tell me what specific result you saw or want—teeth, skin, scratches, cleaning—I can give you a safer, more effective alternative.